APPLE RETURNING TO TV SETTOP BUSINESS?

Apple, which along with other makers of settop boxes, has admittedly failed in the past to launch a device that would result in the convergence of the TV set with the personal computer, is working on a completely redesigned Apple TV device, the New York Times reported today (Friday), citing unnamed insiders. The newspaper said that the Cupertino, CA-based company had recently hired interface and graphics designers who have a background in broadcast design for television to develop the software for the device. The Times cited another source as saying that advanced work on the software is being performed at separate design group within the company — not at the Apple TV unit.